Move The Goalposts

Build confidence with the big stick by setting realistic expectations.

One of the worst feelings in golf is heading to the first tee after a poor range session, particularly with your driver. But how are you determining what kind of warm-up you had? If you don’t hit laser after laser is it poor? Of course not, but some of us think that way. Therefore, when you’re on the range, and you’ve moved to your driver, you need to set specific and realistic goals, which should get tougher as your confidence grows.

Envision a window in which you’d like to see your ball finish — perhaps between two flags if your range has multiple targets. You can also use two alignment sticks, or two clubs, on the ground as a starting gate. Go easy on yourself to begin with, setting a goal of trying to get five balls in your window. Try to “win” your way out of that window before moving on to one that’s narrower, shrinking your starting gate as you go. Most holes you play are not bowling-alley narrow, so if you’re swinging well enough to achieve these range goals — easy or difficult — you’ll get the ball in play on the course with ease.